Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Ode to an Orphan Kitten


Doyle was walking to his car last Wednesday when he saw a little kitten crying in the grass. We learned later that it had been found on Jupiter Island and dropped off on our campus. Doyle has a big heart and brought it home for the kids to take care of. We explained all the reasons why we could not keep her, but I think it went right in one ear and out the other with a few of the kids. The boys called her "Whiskers" and the girls called her "Mittens." She was a little wild at first, but became more gentle as we calmed her down. I am not a big animal lover-I like them in their place, but I could not stand to see a kitten die a slow death in the hot Florida sun. When we looked closer, we found out that she was handicapped. Her back legs dragged when she walked. This complicated the matter--who wants a cat with a problem? We kept her in a toy cage. I put a hot water bottle in with a warm towel at night so she would feel secure in her little house. Because Doyle is allergic to cats and I don't like animals in the house, we knew she could not stay. We talked about taking her to the Humane Society, but realized what they would do there. I could have dealt with that matter a little easier than the kids. I tried to explain that on my Grandma's farm, when there were too many cats, they were thinned out by a few shots over the hill--this did not bring my kids any comfort. We did some research and found a woman that works in animal rescue. To make a long story short, we took our foster kitten over to the cat lady's house. She was thrilled to have her 22nd cat in the house. She is going to have an orthopedic vet. look at her and see what they can do. She was very nice and told the kids they could call and check on her, or come by for a visit. I know this sounds a little crazy, but our children had become very attached to her and I prayed that we could find someone to take care of her. If God sees each sparrow that falls, I think He understands about crippled cats and crying kids.

7 comments:

kayla said...

My boys will be relieved to know that the poor little kitty has a home.
The cat lady wasn't Viola was it?

Leah said...

Like you - I do NOT like an animal in the house but I am glad you found someone to take good care of her!!

Anita Marie said...

Bless you for making sure the poor kitten was taken care of.

~An animal lover.

Eileen said...

Your kitten reminded me of my Mother. When we grew up at home, mom didn't want any animals around. Not in the house especially. We have all grown up and have our own children grown up, but about nine years ago they were camping on one of my Aunts property with their trailor. They were in the trailor and they heard something outside, so they went to look and there was this almost new born kitten there was no one around. But my mom took it in and fed it. Then they decided to find out where it came from. No one new anything. My Mother felt awful to think she couldn't find the mother cat. So they decided to take it home with them. That cat was like a kid to them after a while. It could do nothing wrong. It did more then we were ever aloud too. We laugh at it now. Anyway, then he looked a lot like this one. They called him sox because of his white feet. He died last year of cancer.

emily said...

Please inform your children that our cat "Gideon"...hmmm...we were told he was a boy...just had 5 kittens & 3 of them are black...they are all outside...but we would be more than happy to share=)
BTW Jonathan said that I should get a pie recipee from you?!? Email me when you get a chance.
Emily

Misty said...

I am glad to hear you found a home for her. Kaylee talked and talked about the kitten after we were over there.

Cat #22....no thanks!!

Esther Hilling said...

The cat is cute. I can see why your kids didn't want to let it go. Sherilyn, you should be able to see the video on our blog now, I found the same video on YouTube, so it should no longer be blocked.